What’s 4 Dinner?
Another blogger on the site got me thinking about meal time and cooking for different tastes in one house. I prepare 99.9% of the meals at our home. Breakfast is either whole grain waffles with real maple syrup or cereal and some type of fresh fruit. I tried to trick them into thinking my smoothies were milkshakes, but they didn’t buy it. And, if I’m really on the ball I’ll whip up breakfast burritos but those along with pancakes are more weekend meals.
Dinner runs the gamut, depending on how organized I was that morning or night before and how much we’ve got going on in the evening. My goal is a balanced meal: protein, grain, vegetable. Some nights that’s a frozen pizza with carrot sticks on the side. Most nights it’s more nutritious than that.
I love to cook and try new recipes, and get pretty adventurous in the kitchen. The one thing I always said even before I had kids is that I would not feed my kids a steady diet of mac ‘n cheese, hot dogs, and spaghetti-o’s, they would not dictate the meal plans, they would eat what I made- INCLUDING vegetables.
I get that from my parents, my mom is a great cook and she and dad always said “at least try it, if you don’t like it, fine. But, you have to at least try it.” I think I ate escargot when I was in grade school, it was chewy and garlicky – they even told me it was snails but I tried it anyway and lived to tell the tale. Some nights I’d leave the table hungry, but I certainly didn’t starve. I continue that philosophy in my home.
So, whether its BBQ chicken, broccoli and tater tots or tofu chili, whatever I make is what’s for dinner. Sometimes they like it, sometimes they don’t. If they do, great-I file that recipe away to prepare another day. If they don’t, I do not run back to the kitchen and pop a turkey dog in the microwave. If they don’t like the main course, they’ll eat the vegetable. I’m sure some nights they leave the table a little hungry, but they’re both very healthy and far from malnourished.
The cool thing about mixing up the meals is that both of my children are very interested in helping me prepare meals. From measuring ingredients to tasting the sauce to see if it needs more seasoning they LOVE to be in the kitchen with me. As they get older I look forward to having them find new recipes to try and cooking the entire meal. What’s mealtime like in your house, kid meals and adult meals or does everyone eat the same thing for dinner?
Laura Feit is the mother of two. She lives in Walworth County and works full time for Gazlo.com. Laura is a community blogger and her opinion is not necessarily that of the Janesville Gazette staff or management.
Mar 10, 2010 at 5:44 a.m.
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"What's for dinner" was a question that over many the years was directed at me. When children were growing up, hubby was working crazy hours and as I worked as well. Most days the cooking and planning of what to cook, was in my court...or kitchen one might say. Yes, as daughters grew up, we so enjoyed cooking together...THOSE were the meals that tasted best! To this day with families of their own - when we have the opportunity at Thanksgiving & other holiday dinners and meal get-togethers THOSE meals where we are all in the kitchen "cooking" continue to be THE most enjoyable in the preparation activity...as well as the eating.
Since my husband retired we have entered a kind of 'role reversal' and "what's for dinner" is all of a sudden primarily in 'his' kitchen' realm. He is enjoying the planning, the shopping & the preparation and althought I LOVE the freedom of ending my work day not having to 'think about it' I am now enjoying the lovely meal prepared & set on the table at end of the business work-day. I continue to totally enjoy those times when we are BOTH working in the kitchen preparing our meal. This happens smoothly & in synch [at times] and other times we are bumping into each other as we crisscross the kitchen work stations. We love those tradtional "comfort meals" as well as when we 'try something new' because we know if it doesn't work, that recipe ends up in file 13 and there's always PB&J or a backup or tuna sandwich. IF it turns out great, ahh then there is joy and he calls one or both of the girls and ask them to stop by and pick up a surprise 'dinner for their evening meal' which brings happiness on our part as well as theirs. Sharing of the food - no matter how elaborate or simple is most certainly a time that brings us together ... after a long day of work, school, play activity isn't it lovely to share that meal with your children, spouse, friends whether it's a comfort food or a new 'foodie' dish! Laura, enjoy those days in your kitchen with your children helping you and preparing a wonderful meal. You may forget some of the ingredients of a recipe ... I can assure you that you will remember & cherish the marvelous moments of togetherness. Bon Appetite!
Mar 8, 2010 at 3:33 p.m.
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Burgers on the grill tonight!!!!!!!
Mar 8, 2010 at 7:40 a.m.
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I never made anything different for the kids - they could if they tried something first - make themselves a sandwich.
I did, however, after knowing what they did not like - avoid making it or make an alternative for them.
My son never had a choice, but my step-daughter expanded her pallet a great deal.
Keep up the good work Laura -- OH and spaghettos and white bread is a wonderful treat in our house because we almost never have it!!
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